Isaiah Chapter 23 — The Prophecy Against Tyre
This chapter contains a prophecy of destruction for the wealthy maritime cities of Tyre and Sidon, followed by a promise of future restoration after seventy years.
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Notable Verses
Isaiah 23:9
“The LORD of Armies has planned it, to stain the pride of all glory, to bring into contempt all the honorable of the earth.”
This verse explains the divine purpose behind the city's downfall, which is to humble human pride and self-exaltation.
Isaiah 23:18
“Her merchandise and her wages will be holiness to the LORD. It will not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise will be for those who dwell before the LORD, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing.”
It describes a future state where the city's commercial wealth is dedicated to God's service and the needs of His people rather than personal gain.
Chapter Summary
Isaiah 23 delivers a prophetic oracle against Tyre, a prominent Phoenician port city known as the market of nations. The prophecy describes the mourning of merchants and the inhabitants of the coast as their stronghold is laid waste, affecting trade as far as Egypt and Tarshish. The text attributes this destruction to the Lord of Armies, who intends to humble the pride and glory of the earth's honorable traders. The city is predicted to be forgotten for seventy years, a period equated to the days of one king. Following this time, Tyre is described as returning to her commerce, engaging with the kingdoms of the world like a forgotten prostitute seeking to be remembered through song. However, the chapter concludes with a transformation: her merchandise and wages will eventually be dedicated as holiness to the Lord, used to provide food and clothing for those who dwell before Him.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to the text, the Lord planned the destruction of Tyre to stain the pride of all glory and bring contempt upon the honorable of the earth. As a major center of trade and wealth, the city’s pride was the primary reason for the prophecy of its downfall.
The prophecy states that Tyre would be forgotten for seventy years, which is described as being 'according to the days of one king.' After this designated period, the Lord would visit the city again.
The chapter concludes by stating that Tyre's merchandise and wages would become 'holiness to the LORD.' Instead of being stored up for the city's own benefit, the wealth would be used to provide food and clothing for those who dwell before the Lord.
Study Note
Tyre was a major Phoenician island-city renowned for its maritime strength and was considered the commercial hub of the ancient Mediterranean world.
Related Chapters
Ezekiel Chapter 26
Ezekiel provides another detailed and lengthy prophecy regarding the siege and destruction of the city of Tyre.
Zechariah Chapter 9
This chapter contains a similar prophetic oracle mentioning the judgment of Tyre and Sidon despite their great wealth.
Jeremiah Chapter 25
Jeremiah also references the seventy-year period of judgment that parallels the timeframe mentioned for Tyre.
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